Indicating and protecting device.



D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 29, 1908. 1,042,562. Patented Oct. 29, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPM ca. WASHINGTON. D, c4

D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PEOTEUTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DBG. 29, 190s.

1,042,562.- Patented o@n.`29,1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON, n. c.

D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DBCLZS, 1908.

D. R. KN APP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DBG.29, 1908.

commun PLAxccgrwn cn..wAsHlNu1-DN. D. L.

D. R. KNAPP.

INDIGATING AND PROTEGTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 11120.29, 1908.

Pate/nted 0013.29, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Illll. l. IIJ

COLUMBIA FLANoGuAm-l co..w^smNGToN. D. c.

MUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID R. KNAPP, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INDICATING AND PROTECTING DEVICE.

To al?, fai/mm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, DAVID It. KNAPP, a citizen of the United States,residing in Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Indicating andProtecting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an indicating and protecting device usedparticularly in connection with gun turrets on war vessels, but isapplicable to fortress guns and the like, and my objects are to provideand construct an indicating device that will indicate the train andelevation of one or more guns and, also, the fouling of any guns orturrets or guns and gun-fire.

1With these objects in view, my invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and arrangement of parts, as will hereinaftermore fully be described and pointed out in the claims, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, and in which`Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of theprincipal part of the device. Fig. 2 is a plan of the device showing`the location of the various parts. Figs. 3 and 4 are end elevation viewsof the movable members showing more details thereof. Fig. 5 is asectional elevation of the device, showing principally the method ofsupporting, and also the manner in which the various motions aretransmitted to, the device. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail views showingthe method of supporting the lower gearing. Fig. 9 is a diagrammaticview of the general run of the transmission shafting. Figs. lO and l1are, respectively, a plan and a sectional elevation of a structureeinbodying features where turret structures are liable to foul orinterfere; and Fig. l2 is a plan of a possible arrangement of anadditional turret to the lower one as shown in Fig. l0.

This invention, as the accompanying drawings disclose, shows theapparatus as applied to turrets on war vessels.

In some war vessels a plurality of turrets are located on the centerline of the vessel, the distance from center to center of turret beingdetermined by the structural condition of the particular vessel, andthat each turret consists of a properly armored revolving member inwhich are mounted two inde- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 29, 1908.

Patented 0ct. 29, 1912.

serial No. 469,896.

pendently operated guns. I may also state that the training motion,which is the revolving motion of the turret, is operated by an electricmotor or other means, and that the elevating motion of each gun isoperated by electric motors or other prime movers independent of thetraining mot-ion and independent of each other, and that these motors orprime movers are fixed in the turret and revolve therewith. Inasmuch asthese turrets are mounted on the center line of the vessel, in order toobtain the maximum efficiency of gun-fire it is obvious that the guns ofone turret will necessarily be mounted at a. higher plane than theother, as shown in Fig. 9. The guns as shown in Fig. 9 are shown for twoturrets, and the guns may fire at any degree of their train, which isapproximately 135 on either side of the center line, or a total of 2700.I may also state that the guns may elevate 15CJ from a horizontal planeand may depress 50, or a total range of deflection of 20o. If twoturrets lying in the same plane, as shown in Fig. 1Q, should occupy thegeneral position of the turret designated byl the reference number 109in Fig. 9 of the drawings, there is created a possibility of one firingdirectly at the turret 100 as it passes across the center line, it beingunderstood that the distance between the turret 100 and the adjacentturret would be suiiicient to allow the guns to train on either side ofthe center line. It is obvious that from the foregoing description ofthe location and general construction of these turrets there is greatdanger, upon the training and elevating, of the guns of one turretfouling with the guns of another, as shown in Fig. 2, and also greatdanger of the gun-fire from the guns of one turret fouling with the gunsof another, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and of the turrets themselvesfouling, and of the guns of one turret tiring directly at the adjacentturret. In times of peace and during target practice it may be feasibleto dispense with the use of one or more turrets and place them in aposition where they are out of the way; but in warfare this wouldseriously aifect the efficiency of gun-fire of a vessel. Theseconditions are mostly due to the structural conditions and arrangementsof the turrets, they being entirely closed, which prevents an exteriorview being had from within. The sighting is done, telescopically, byimproved methods, Which also does not permit of an exterior vieuT beinghad iii proximity of the turrets.

My invention, therefore, consists in a device located in each turrent(so as to be under observation of the turret officer) that will indicatethe true relation of the turrets and their guns, and thus give Warningupon any of the aforesaid dangers presenting themselves. A device ofthis character Will increase the efficiency of the vessel, due to thefact that the turret officer may at all times be cognizant as to therelative positions of the turrets, and thereby handle the operation ofthe same with celerity and accuracy and prevent a condition ofself-destruction.

Referring to the figures of the drawings,

iii which similar numerals refer to like parts throughout the severalvieivs, 1 designates a4 of) c);

member provided ivith the shoulder designates a bracket or supportprovided ivitli the removable cap 20, ivhich is adapted to embrace thesaid rounded portion ot they member 1, and thereby enables said memberto turn freely in a horizontal plane on the support 2; S7 and 88designate shafts in. fixed relation to the member 1 and uponv which aremade to revolve the sectors of the.

worm Wheels 7 and 8.

3 and 4 designate worms in fixed relation ivitli the shafts 32 and 39,being provided with bearings 23 and 25, which are removably attaclied tothe member 1 by the securing sereivs 24 and 26.

Mounted on the sectors 7 and 8 are the elongated members 11 and 12,which are made of some conducting material, but electrically insulatedfrom said sectors by the:

insulation 89 and 90. The diameters of said elongated members 11 and 12are proportioned to the diameter of the turret guns, ivhile the lengthfrom the center of the member 1 is proportional to the length of theguns; also, the distances between the centers of the elongated membersare proportional to the centers of the guns in turrets. 15 designates aportion of member 11, and its dia-meter is proportioned to the diameterof the shot fired from said gun, While the length thereof ispredetermined, as will be hereinafter described.

91 and 92 designate close Wound spiral springs which fit snugly over theelongated members 11 and 12, and said members are parted therein, eachterminal of the spring being secured in a suitable manner to theseparate parts. 1f said elongated members engage With any obstructionthe spring ivill readily yield and prevent possible bending, and uponthe obstruction being removed the members ivill assume their normalpositions.

35 'designates a member provided with the frusto-conical shaped shoulder21, and 93 designates a fixed support provided ivith they removable cap19, which is adapted to embrace the said frusto-conical shaped shoulder.The member 35 is therefore free to revolve in a horizontal plane and itis supported by the support 93.

94 and 95 designate shafts which are rigidly attached to the member andupon which are made to revolve the sectors or ivorm Wheels 9 and 10. 5and 6 designate Worm Wheels in engagement With said sectors, and arefree to revolve in the bearing 33, which is removably secured to themeinber by the screws 34. Fixed to each of said sectors 9 and 10 are theelongated inembers 13 and 14, made of some conducting material, andWhose diameter is proportioned to the diameter of the guns and ivhoselength from the center of the sector is proportioned to the distance ofthe muzzle of the guns from the center of the turrets. The members 13and 14 are provided ivith the reduced portions 17 and 1S, the diameterthereof being proportioned to the gun bore or the shot fired therefrom,and its length being predetermined, as Will be hereinafter described.

Attached to the members 13 and 14 are the spiral close Wound springs 105and 106, Which fit snugly over the said members and which are separatedtherein and attached to each terminal of said spring. This givesflexibility to the elongated members 13 and 14 for the purpose asheretofore stated for members 11 and 12. The members 13 and 14 areinsulated from the member by the insulation 9G and 97.

37 designates a flexible shaft rigidly attached to the member 35 by thecoupling 40.

36 and 38 designate liexible shafts ivhich are rigidly attached to theshafts of the Worms 5 and G by the couplings 39 and 41.

31 designates a flexible shaft rigidly attaclied to the member 1 by thecoupling 2S.

30 and 32 designate flexible shafts rigidly attached to theirrespect-ive ivorm shafts by the couplings 27 and 29. t

84 designates a plate or foundation found in the rear of the turret andupon which the apparatus is secured by the pipe standards 52 and 53.

51 designates a suitable casing inclosing the apparatus, the base beingadapted to be secured to the standards 52 and 53 by threaded engagement.The centers of the standards 52 and 53 are concentric with the centersof the members 1 and 35. The loivei' parts of said standards have theslot 71 therein, which enables ready inspection and repair to theapparatus at this point inside the standards.

G9 designates sleeves adapted to slide over the standards 52 and 53, andserves for a closure of said. slots 71.

The vertical centers betiveen the members 1 and 35 are proportioned tothe vertical centers of the turrets, while the horizontal centers areproportional to the horizontal centers of the guns. It is obvious, then,that the relative positions of the members 1 and 35 are identical withthe relative positions of the turrets.

rIhe end of each of the shafts 36, 37 and 38 is provided with a slot 67,which is adapted to engage with the pin 66 in the coupling 65.

64 designates a bearing removably secured to the plate 84 by the screw86.

61 and 62 designate bearing caps removably secured to the bearing 611 bythe screws 107 and 63.

85 designates a gear wheel fixed to the shaft 101, and which is adaptedto revolve in the bearing 64 and terminates in the coupling 65.

It is obvious that the shaft 37, being fixed to the center of revolutionof the member 35, can be made solid if so desired, as shown in Fig. 11.

108 designates a gear wheel in rigid relat-ion with the solid shaft 98,and which is adapted to revolve in the bearing 64 and terminates in thecoupling 65. A similar arrangement is provided for the shaft 36. It isobvious that upon the revolving of the member 35 the fiexible shafts 36and 38 will move in an arc of a circle, and the extra length of theshaft-ing required is provided for by the telescopic coupling 65. Asimilar arrangement is provided for shaft 31, attached to the center ofmember 1, as that provided for shaft 37 also, a similar arrangement isprovided for shafts 30 and 32 as is provided for shafts 36 and 38. 70designates a casing inclosing this gearing, which is removably securedto the plate or deck 84 by the screws 99. The shaft 37 is operativelyconnected to the turret turning gear of the lower turret through thegear 85. and is so designed that the member 35, which is rigidlyattached to said shaft, will respond to the movements of the turret andmove in unison therewith.

109 and 100 designate turrets, the location of which I have heretoforedescribed, and turret 109 will hereafter be designated as the lowerturret, while turret 100 will be designated as the upper one. Theflexible shafts 36 and 38 are operatively connected to the respectivegun elevating gear of each gun in the lower turret through the samemethod of gearing as stated for shaft 37, and said gearing is sodesigned that the members 13 and 14 will respond to the movements of theguns therein and move in unison therewith. It is obvious that theposition of member 35, with the elongated members mounted thereon, willassume the same relative relation as the turret and the guns which theyrepresent. The shaft 31 is operatively connected to the turret turninggear of the upper turret similar to that of the lower turret, and is sodesigned that the member 1, which is rigidly attached to said shaft,will respond to the movements of the turret and move in unisonthere-with. The flexible shafts 30 and 32 are operatively connected tothe respective gun elevating gear o-f each gun in the upper turret, andthe gearing is so designed that the members 11 and 12 will respond tothe movements of the guns therein and move in unison therewith. It isobvious, therefore, that the position of member 1, with the elongatedmembers mounted thereon, will assume the same relation as the turret andthe guns which they represent.

In Fig. 9 I have shown the probable desired arrangement of shafting in adiagrammatic manner in a two-turret structure in which the indicator islocated in the after end of each turret, near the turret officer, andunder his observation, and in which the shaft 55 designates, thetraining or revolving shaft of the upper turret. This motion istransmitted by the shaft 78 to the shaft 31 of the indicator locatedtherein, and by the shaft 77 to the same indicator shaft located in thelower turret. 56 and 57 designate independent gun elevating shafts, andare connected to the respective shafts 30 and 32 by the shafts 79 and80. rIhe motion is also transmitted to the respective shafts of theindicator located in the lower turret by the shafts 75 and 76. It isobvious that the member 1 of the indicator in each turret, with theelongated members representing guns mounted thereon, will respond to themovements of the upper turret and move in unison therewith. 58designates the turning or training shaft of the lower turret, and isconnected to the shaft 37 of the indicator located therein by the shaft81. The same motion is also transmitted to the similar shaft of theindicator located in the upper turret by the shaft 72. 59 and 30designate the independent` shafts of the respective gun elevating gear,and are connected to the shafts 36 and 38 of the indicator located inthe lower turret by the shafts 82 and 83. The same motions aretransmitted to shafts 36 and 38 of the indicator located in the upperturret by the shafts 73 and 74. It is obvious that the member 35 of theindicator located in each turret, with the elongated membersrepresenting guns mountedthereon, will respond to the movements of thelower turret and move in unison therewith, and that the position of eachturret and their respective guns will at all times be shown in truerelation to each other. The top portion of the casing 51 is providedwith the glass disks 54 (see Fig. 2) by which visual observation can bemade at any time of the relative position of the turrets.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the insulated members 11 and12 have connected therewith electrical conductors 110 and 102, while theinsulated members 1B and llt have connected therewith the electricalconductors 103 and 104. Also, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 ofthedrawings, the casing 117 has connected therewith an electrical conductor120, and the elongated members 112 and 111 have, respectively, connectedtherewith the electrical conductors 12S and 129. These severalelectrical conductorsjust referred to form a part of supplementaryelectrical indicating circuits w iich are not detailed herein, as thesame form a part of the subject-matter of a divisional application tiledll'lay 15, 1910, Serial No. 561,003.

ln case the construction of the turrets is such thatl the turretsthemselves would foul, as could occur in the arrangementshown in liig.12, a design of the movable members in the indicating device will be inaccordance with 10 and 11, in which designates` the standard whichsupports the casing 51. 111 and 112 designate the respective elongatedmembers or models representing guns, and are constructed and connectedsimilar to those of 11 and 12, and are mounted on the movable member 113is a similar manner. 114 in Fig. 11 designates a solid shaft supportedby the bearing 64, and free to revolve therein, and connected by gearingsimilar to that of the shaft 87, to its respectivo turret motion. rThemember 113, which is similar to the members 1 and 35, is rigidly linedto said shaft 114. 115 and 116 designate shafts operatively connected totheir respective gun elevating gearing similar to shafts 36 and 38, andshaft 11-/1 is operatively connected to its respective turret turningshaft. 117 designates a casing xed to the movable member 118 by thescrew 118, and is insulated therefrom by the insulation 1,19. 120designates lead wire from the casing 117. lt is obvious that the members1 ant B5 could be supported by a solid shaft similar to 1141-, and acasing similar to 117 could be provided on each. The said casing 117 ismade of some conducting material and is proportioned to the respectiveturret as to the general structural dimensions.

lt will be assumed that the turrets as shown in the drawings are traineddead ahead, reference being had to Figs. 1 and 9. The turret otlicer ofthe upper turret gives the order to train t-he guns to the starboardside. rlhe shaft 55 revolves in a direction consistent to such movement,which motion will be imparted to shafts 78 and 77, which will in turntransmit said motion to the shafts 31 of the indicators or modelslocated in each turret. rllhe vessel to be fired on may be at shortrange and a depression of the guns may be necessary. This motion can betransmitted during the revolution of the turret, and if such is the casethe shafts 56 and 57 will revolve and impart motion to shafts 79 and 80,which will in turn transmit the motion to shafts 30 and 32 causing theworm and the worm wheel to revolve, which will cause a correspondingelevation or depression of the members 11 and 12. As aforesaid, thegearing is so proportioned that the indicator members move in unison,and the position determined by the member 1 and the members mountedthereon will be in true relation with the turret and its guns. @ne ofthese guns may be trained on a vessel at a great distance, the other maybe depressed to train on a vessel for a short distance; the motionsbeing independent, the members 11 and 12 will move independently. Therewill be no appreciable lostmotion between the moving members of thedevice and the corresponding instrument shafts connected therewith, butthere may be some in the flexible shafting itself during transmissionfrom the turret motions to the respective shafts. This may be madepractically negligible by speeding up the flexible shafting at thedriven end thereof, and correspondingly reducing the speed thereof atits transmitting end1 simply by the use of gears of the proper ratio.Assume the guns to be in the upper turret trained to the port side,firing at a vessel at shortrange, in which case the guns will assume aprobably horizontal position. In the meantime orders are given to trainthe lower turret to the same side at an elevation at which it. wasfiring. The turret is immediately swung around at full speed and acondition will exist where the guns will foul, as shown in Fig. 2,causing disablement and probably irreparable damage. Both guns may betrained ahead, as shown in Fig. 1, and the order given to elevate thelower turret guns, in which case the upper turret guns will shoot offthe muzzles of the lower; again, both guns may be trained to port, andif the lower turret guns are elevated there is danger of shooting offthe muzzles of the upper turret guns. One or more of these conditionscan take place in any of the 270o of train of either turret. The maximumdanger length of gun-fire from the upper turret is designated by thereduced portion 15 of the member 11, which is similar for the member 12,and is determined by the intersection of a horizontal line representinggun-lire from the upper turret, and an are whose radius is the lengthfrom the center of the lower turret to the end of the guns. 1t will beunderstood that these elongated members representing guns and gun-firecan be made as large in diameter as desirable in order to givesufficient warning before the guns or gun-lire really interfere. Whilethe members representing guns may engage, the guns do not engage, nor isit desired that they should, and these members are made suiiicientlylarge in diameter to determine these conditions.

17 and 1S designate gun-fire from guns 13 and 11i, and the maximumlength is determined by training both turrets their eX- treme travel tothe same side and then swing the upper turret around until the gun-firefrom the loiver turret fouls the muzzle of the upper. Upon theengagement of any of the said members the springs attached thereto willreadily yield and prevent possible bending of the members, and upon thedisengagement thereof they Will assume their original position.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that the danger zones willbe readily observed by the turret ofhcer, Who may give orders to preventdanger, and the position of any turret will at all times be indicated inone or all turrets.

In a manner heretofore described an arrangement of two or more turretscan be accomplished, the lengths of the members representing guns andgun-lire and turret, depending upon the particular type of vessel, andthus accomplishing the heretofore firstmentioned object of my saidinvention.

F rom the foregoing description it Will be observed that I have deviseda simple and ecient system that is positive in its action, but I do notWish to limit myself to the exact construction of the apparatus, as itis apparent that modifications can be made Without departing from thespirit and intent of my invention.

I claim,-

l. A system to indicate interference of guns for turrets, comprising incombination with the gun turrets and guns and the controlling meanstherefor, a plurality of revoluble member designating turrets, revolubleelongated members designating guns, and proportioned to the dimensionsthereof, mounted thereon, and each of the said members operativelyconnected respectively with the turret and gun cont-rolling means so asto move in synchronism With the respective turret and gun motions, saidindicating members occupying the same relative position as theirrespective turrets and guns.

2. A system to indicate interference of guns, gun-fire and guns forturrets, comprising in combination with the gun turrets and guns and thecontrolling means therefor a plurality of revoluble members designatingturrets, revoluble elongated members designating guns, and proportionedto the dimensions thereof, plus a predetermined length representinggun-nre, mounted thereon, and each of the said members operativelyconnected respectively With-the turret and gun controlling' means so asto move in synchronism With the respective turret and gun motions, saidindicating members occupying the same relative position as theirrespective turrets and guns.

3. A system to indicate interference of guns for turrets, comprising incombination with the turret turning gear and the gun elevating gearing acasing, a` plurality of members pivoted therein and adapted to revolvein a horizontal plane, said members operatively connected to therespective turret-turning gea-r, members representing respective gunspivotally connected to the aforesaid members and adapted to move in aplane at right angles to the aforesaid plane, and each of said membersoperatively connected to the respective gun-elevating gearing, andmoving in synchronism therewith, said members also occupying the samerelative position as their respective turrets and guns.

4. In a gun and gun-lire interference indicator for a plurality ofturrets, in combination With the gun controlling means, movable members,representing guns, proportional to the dimensions of the guns and spacedapart in proportion to the distance between the vertical and horizontalcenters thereof, and each provided With a predetermined elongatedportion representing gunre, and means opera-tively connecting saidmembers to their respective gun motions.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

DAVID R. KNAPP.

l/Vitnesses:

HOWARD E. CADE, JESSE H. RICHARDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of IE'atents, Washington, D. C.

